The Birmingham Mail journalist who famously named Spaghetti Junction during a celebrated 44-year career with the newspaper has died.

Roy Smith, who was the Mail’s municipal correspondent covering the ins and outs of civic life during the 60s, 70s and 80s, was also honoured with an MBE – a rare honour for a local news reporter.

He retired in 1988 and moved to Exmouth and later Torquay to indulge his passion for sailing.

Roy Smith at his sailing club in Exmouth, Devon, in 1988

He was 85 and leaves a widow Margaret, three children and eight grandchildren.

Former colleagues and politicians have paid tribute to Roy, describing him as a ‘gentleman’ and a credit to journalism.

His former colleague as Birmingham Mail municipal correspondent David Bell said: “He was a really, really nice man, very bright and a real gentleman.

“He will always be known as the man who named Spaghetti Junction.”

Birmingham Lib Dem leader Paul Tilsley, who was first elected to the council in 1968, said: “He was one of those rare people who was able to combine the role of top investigative journalist with being a true gentleman.